SAMCRO ON XMAS DUTY
SAMCRO remains on course to run in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29.
The six-year-old has also been entered for the three-mile Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, but trainer Gordon Elliott will continue to keep the horse over the minimum trip for the time being, with the Champion Hurdle still the main target in March.
Elliott, however, is realistic about the task Samcro faces in turning round an emphatic defeat in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle two weeks ago by reigning two-time Champion Hurdler Buveur D’Air.
Having extended his winning sequence to seven at the Cheltenham Festival last March, Gordon Elliott’s gelding. has failed to make the winner’s circle since.
Samcro fell at the Punchestown Festival and has been beaten in two runs this season – by Bedrock at Down Royal before being put in his place by Buveur D’Air at Newcastle.
“Samcro is in good form and Leopardstown is the plan,” said Elliott.
“He’s working well and we’re happy with him, but he’s going to have to improve a lot on his last run to win a Champion Hurdle.”
Samcro could face another top Champion Hurdle contender at Leopardstown in Laurina as trainer, Willie Mullins looks for a suitable race for his exciting mare.
Second favourite behind Buveur D’Air in the ante-post market for the two-mile showpiece at Cheltenham, the fiveyear-old skipped a run in the International Hurdle at Prestbury Park on Saturday due to ground conditions.
Mullins said: “Laurina has options at Leopardstown, the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham and a mares’ race in Sandown.
“The ground is paramount. I want to have soft or heavy in the ground for her first run of the season.”